'''Murmansk''' (Му́рманск) is a city in the extreme northwest of [[Russia]] and the world's largest city north of the Arctic Circle.

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'''Murmansk''' ([[Russian_phrasebook|Russian]]: Му́рманск) [http://www.murmantourism.ru/eng] is a city in the extreme northwest of [[Russia]] and the world's largest city north of the [[Arctic]] Circle.

==Understand==

==Understand==

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With a population of over 300,000, Murmansk is the largest city in the Arctic and an important Russian naval base and commercial port. In World War II (known to Russias as the Great Patriotic War), Murmansk served as a port for the arctic convoys, and after the war became the Soviet Union's most important submarine base.

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With a population of over 300,000, Murmansk is the largest city in the Arctic and an important Russian naval base and commercial port. During World War II (known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War), Murmansk served as a port for the arctic convoys, and after the war became the Soviet Union's most important submarine base.

==Get in==

==Get in==

===By plane===

===By plane===

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'''Murmansk Airport''' [http://www.airport-murmansk.ru/] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IATA IATA]: '''MMK''') has multiple daily flights to [[Moscow]] and [[Saint Petersburg]], and limited services to other Russian cities including [[Sochi]] and [[Rostov-on-the-Don]]. There are also several flights per week to [[Tromsø]] and [[Helsinki]]. Flights to [[Kirkenes]] are however discontinued.

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'''Murmansk Airport''' [http://www.airport-murmansk.ru] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IATA IATA]: '''MMK''') has multiple daily flights to [[Moscow]] and [[Saint Petersburg]], and limited services to other Russian cities including [[Arkhangelsk]], [[Sochi]] and [[Rostov-on-the-Don]]. There are also several flights per week from [[Tromsø]] and [[Kirkenes]]. Seasonal flights are avalible from [[Helsinki]] too.

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The airport is located about 40km south of Murmansk, near the town of Murmashi. Taxis to the city center cost R500-600 and make the trip in about 40 minutes. Cathing a taxi waiting outside the airport is more expensive, expect to pay up to R1000. For cheaper (and official) taxiservice, you have to order a taxi, expect to wait up to 30-40 minutes for it to arrive, though. Bus 106 goes to the train station, stopping at Detsky Mir near the Poliarnie Zori Hotel on it's way, is less expensive but much more sluggish than a taxi.

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The airport is located about 40km south of Murmansk, near the town of Murmashi. Taxis to the city center cost about R700 and make the trip in about 40 minutes. Catching a taxi waiting outside the airport is more expensive, expect to pay up to R800. For cheaper (and official) taxiservice, you have to order a taxi, expect to wait up to 30-40 minutes for it to arrive, though. Bus 106 goes to the train station, stopping at Detsky Mir near the Poliarnie Zori Hotel on it's way, is less expensive but much more sluggish than a taxi.

===By boat===

===By boat===

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There are also occasional boats to and from [[Barentsburg]], [[Svalbard]].

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During the summer months, '''Murmansk Shipping Company''' [http://en.msco.ru] offers occasional trips to and from [[Barentsburg]] on [[Svalbard]]. They also serve remote villages along the northen coast of the Kola peninsula, most notably the isolated naval base of Ostrovnoy, with 2-3 trips per month.

===By train===

===By train===

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[[Image:MMKtrain.jpg|thumb|Murmansk Railway Station]]

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[[Image:MMKtrain.jpg|thumb|250 px|Murmansk Railway Station]]

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Murmansk can be reached from most places in north-west Russia by train. [[Moscow]] is 35-40 hours away and [[Saint Petersburg]] 27-30 hours, depending on the train. The trains make stop-overs in cities such as [[Kandalaksha]] and [[Petrozavodsk]] on their way. Other night trains reach Murmansk from cities as far east as [[Arkhangelsk]] or from [[Minsk]] and [[Brest (Belarus)|Brest]] in the west. There is also a local night train from [[Nikel]] close to the [[Norway|Norwegian]] border. Trains from Saint Petersburg and Moscow are daily, most others 2-3 times a week. During summer additional routes are added, mostly to [[Ukraine]] and the Black Sea. The train station is located in the city center, one block downhill from Five Corners Square.

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Murmansk can be reached from most places in north-west Russia by train. [[Moscow]] is 35-40 hours away and [[Saint Petersburg]] 27-30 hours, depending on the train. The ''Arktika'' (Арктика) branded train is the fastest option, it also offers first-class wagons and a restaurant onboard. All trains make stop-overs in cities such as [[Kandalaksha]] and [[Petrozavodsk]] on their way. Other night trains reach Murmansk from cities as far east as [[Arkhangelsk]] or from [[Minsk]] and [[Brest (Belarus)|Brest]] in the west. There is also a local night train from [[Nikel]] close to the [[Norway|Norwegian]] border. Trains from Saint Petersburg and Moscow are daily, most others 2-3 times a week. During summer additional routes are added, mostly to [[Ukraine]] and the Black Sea.

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The central train is located in the city center, one block downhill from Five Corners Square on ul. Kominterna, 16.

===By bus===

===By bus===

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There are bus connections from [[Finland]] ([[Rovaniemi]] and [[Ivalo]]) and [[Norway]] ([[Kirkenes]]).

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There are bus connections from [[Finland]] ([[Ivalo]], with connecting bus from [[Rovaniemi]]) and [[Kirkenes]] in [[Norway]]. Keep in mind that departure times of Russian bus companies from Kirkenes usually are given in Moscow time.

==Get around==

==Get around==

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Although Murmansk is long and thin, most sites of interest to visitors are within a fairly compact area in the city center. Buses and taxis are available on the major streets, and Prospekt Lenina is the main north-south thoroughfare through the city center. Avid walkers could cover the entire stretch of the central area from the Poliarnie Zori Hotel (on the south end of the city center) to the Alyosha

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Although Murmansk is long and thin, most sites of interest to visitors are within a fairly compact area in the city center. ''Prospekt Lenina'' is the main north-south thoroughfare through the city center and the central ''Five Corners Square''. Avid walkers could cover the entire stretch of the central area from the Poliarnie Zori Hotel on the south end of the city center to the Alyosha Statue, which is situated on a plateau on the north side of the city in less than two hours.

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Statue (on a plateau on the north side of the city) in less than two hours.

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Trolleybuses are avalible on most larger streets and generally follows a north-south route, if you are heading east ("up the hill") you have to rely on the small ''mashtruka'' buses. Notice that both buses and trolleybuses can be much-delayed during rush hours due to traffic jams. A new route planner which also shows realtime locatation of trolleybuses on the most used lines is avalible online [http://www.troll51.ru], the catch is it's in Russian only.

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Another option is to use taxis which are plentiful and cheap, few drivers speak anything other then Russian so memorize the street or name of the place you are going to. A typical journey in the city centre will cost somewhere around 400 RUB. Unmarked taxis can be cheaper but are generally a bit unreliable to use for those not fluent in the native tongue.

==See==

==See==

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* <see name="Regional History Museum" alt="" address="Prospekt Lenina 90" directions="" phone="42 26 17" email="" fax="" url="http://www.murman.ru/culture/museum" hours="11am to 5:45pm, daily except Thursday" price="25 Rubles">Contains displays on various themes, including ethnography of local peoples, a taxidermy display of local flora and fauna (including polar bear and moose), arctic explorations, and an extensive display on Murmansk's role in World War II. All displays in Russian only, cashier closes at 5:00pm.</see>

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As a relativly new entity Murmansk has few real sights apart from the giant statue ''Alyosha''; architecture buffs will, however, be intrigued by the crumbling but Stalinist architecture downtown. Walking up into the nearby hills offers remarkable views over the city, Kola bay and the surrounding completely barren mountains - revealing how far north the city really is.

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* <see name="Alyosha Statue" alt="" address="" directions="North of centre on hill near lake Semyonovskaya, acess by road that curves around north of the lake. Nearest bustop is Gagarina (Гагаринa), northbound trolleybus lines 2, 3 and 4 calls there" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The city's pride and most recognizable sight. Officially named '''Defenders of the Soviet Arctic''', but known as ''Alyosha'' to all, this 30-meter-tall statue of a soldier overlooks the city and was built in 1974 to commemorate the Soviet defence of the Arctic during World War II. It's common for wedding parties to visit the statue and drink a bottle of champagne in front of the statue. The grassy hill surrounding ''Alyosha'' are good hiking grounds with dirt footpaths leading back towards the city.</see>

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* <see name="Nuclear icebreaker Lenin" alt="Aтомный ледокол Ленин" address="" directions="At the docks, cross the railway on elevated bridge next to the central station, turn right then left after 150m" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The world's first nucelar powerd surface ship now rests in the docks of Murmansk and have been turned into a museum ship. It also features as a showcase for the Russian nuclear fleet, Atomflot.</see>

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The city offers several museums, all mildly interesting for a visitor but gives a good appreciation for the regions history and art.

* <see name="Alyosha Statue" alt="" address="" directions="on the hill near Lake Semyonovskaya" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">30-meter-tall statue of a soldier overlooking the city. It is common for wedding parties in Murmansk to visit the statue and drink a bottle of champagne there. To reach the statue, follow the road that curves around the north of the lake (Buses 3 and 10 go at least part of the way, then one must walk), or, in good weather, hikers can cut through the hills and across the south side of the lake on the dirt footpath that begins across the street from the Savior-on-the-Water Cathedral and the lighthouse.</see>

* <see name="Regional History Museum" alt="" address="Prospekt Lenina 90" directions="" phone="42 26 17" email="" fax="" url="http://www.murman.ru/culture/museum" hours="11am to 5:45pm, daily except Thursday" price="25 Rubles">Contains displays on various themes, including ethnography of local peoples, a taxidermy display of local flora and fauna (including polar bear and moose), arctic explorations, and an extensive display on Murmansk's role in World War II. All displays in Russian only, cashier closes at 5:00pm.</see>

*<drink name="моисей" alt="24-hour cafe with wireless internet" address="Kominterna ulitsa 9/1" directions="Downstairs in shopping complex across from train station." phone="" url="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ulitsa+Kominterna+9%2F1,+Murmansk,+Murmanskaya+oblast%27,+Russia&aq=&sll=68.970499,33.060865&sspn=0.013244,0.074759&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=ulitsa+Kominterna,+9,+Murmansk,+Russia,+183038&ll=68.971607,33.070393&spn=0.006622,0.037379&t=m&z=15" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">There doesn't seem to be a lot of wireless internet hotspots so моисей is a good option. Cheap draft beer and (uninviting) food, this is not a bad place to get one's bearings and check emails after arriving in the city.</drink>

[[Image:MMK5corner.jpg|thumb|Five Corners Square, with the Meridian Hotel on the left]]

* <sleep name="Meridian Hotel" alt="" address="Ul. Vorovskogo 5/23" directions="On Five Corners Square" phone="+7 815 228 89 00" email="" fax="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="Beginning at 3500 rubles for a single">Not related to the international chain of a similar name. The lobby displays photos of notable former guests, including President Medvedev, which gives both an indicator of class of service and price.</sleep>

* <sleep name="Meridian Hotel" alt="" address="Ul. Vorovskogo 5/23" directions="On Five Corners Square" phone="+7 815 228 89 00" email="" fax="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="Beginning at 3500 rubles for a single">Not related to the international chain of a similar name. The lobby displays photos of notable former guests, including President Medvedev, which gives both an indicator of class of service and price.</sleep>

The wilderness of the Kola peninsula and [[Murmansk Oblast]] is perfect for camping, fishing or hunting. A great deal of travellers continue out in the wild from here. There are several large national parks nearby and there are several companies to organize your trip.

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Or you can head north; Murmansk is a great place to start for your icebreaker cruise [http://www.northpolevoyages.com] to the Arctic Sea and the [[North Pole]].

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Revision as of 20:06, 9 July 2013

The Alesha Statue

Murmansk (Russian: Му́рманск) [6] is a city in the extreme northwest of Russia and the world's largest city north of the Arctic Circle.

Contents

Understand

With a population of over 300,000, Murmansk is the largest city in the Arctic and an important Russian naval base and commercial port. During World War II (known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War), Murmansk served as a port for the arctic convoys, and after the war became the Soviet Union's most important submarine base.

The airport is located about 40km south of Murmansk, near the town of Murmashi. Taxis to the city center cost about R700 and make the trip in about 40 minutes. Catching a taxi waiting outside the airport is more expensive, expect to pay up to R800. For cheaper (and official) taxiservice, you have to order a taxi, expect to wait up to 30-40 minutes for it to arrive, though. Bus 106 goes to the train station, stopping at Detsky Mir near the Poliarnie Zori Hotel on it's way, is less expensive but much more sluggish than a taxi.

By boat

During the summer months, Murmansk Shipping Company[8] offers occasional trips to and from Barentsburg on Svalbard. They also serve remote villages along the northen coast of the Kola peninsula, most notably the isolated naval base of Ostrovnoy, with 2-3 trips per month.

By train

Murmansk Railway Station

Murmansk can be reached from most places in north-west Russia by train. Moscow is 35-40 hours away and Saint Petersburg 27-30 hours, depending on the train. The Arktika (Арктика) branded train is the fastest option, it also offers first-class wagons and a restaurant onboard. All trains make stop-overs in cities such as Kandalaksha and Petrozavodsk on their way. Other night trains reach Murmansk from cities as far east as Arkhangelsk or from Minsk and Brest in the west. There is also a local night train from Nikel close to the Norwegian border. Trains from Saint Petersburg and Moscow are daily, most others 2-3 times a week. During summer additional routes are added, mostly to Ukraine and the Black Sea.

The central train is located in the city center, one block downhill from Five Corners Square on ul. Kominterna, 16.

By bus

There are bus connections from Finland (Ivalo, with connecting bus from Rovaniemi) and Kirkenes in Norway. Keep in mind that departure times of Russian bus companies from Kirkenes usually are given in Moscow time.

Get around

Although Murmansk is long and thin, most sites of interest to visitors are within a fairly compact area in the city center. Prospekt Lenina is the main north-south thoroughfare through the city center and the central Five Corners Square. Avid walkers could cover the entire stretch of the central area from the Poliarnie Zori Hotel on the south end of the city center to the Alyosha Statue, which is situated on a plateau on the north side of the city in less than two hours.

Trolleybuses are avalible on most larger streets and generally follows a north-south route, if you are heading east ("up the hill") you have to rely on the small mashtruka buses. Notice that both buses and trolleybuses can be much-delayed during rush hours due to traffic jams. A new route planner which also shows realtime locatation of trolleybuses on the most used lines is avalible online [9], the catch is it's in Russian only.

Another option is to use taxis which are plentiful and cheap, few drivers speak anything other then Russian so memorize the street or name of the place you are going to. A typical journey in the city centre will cost somewhere around 400 RUB. Unmarked taxis can be cheaper but are generally a bit unreliable to use for those not fluent in the native tongue.

See

As a relativly new entity Murmansk has few real sights apart from the giant statue Alyosha; architecture buffs will, however, be intrigued by the crumbling but Stalinist architecture downtown. Walking up into the nearby hills offers remarkable views over the city, Kola bay and the surrounding completely barren mountains - revealing how far north the city really is.

Alyosha Statue, (North of centre on hill near lake Semyonovskaya, acess by road that curves around north of the lake. Nearest bustop is Gagarina (Гагаринa), northbound trolleybus lines 2, 3 and 4 calls there). The city's pride and most recognizable sight. Officially named Defenders of the Soviet Arctic, but known as Alyosha to all, this 30-meter-tall statue of a soldier overlooks the city and was built in 1974 to commemorate the Soviet defence of the Arctic during World War II. It's common for wedding parties to visit the statue and drink a bottle of champagne in front of the statue. The grassy hill surrounding Alyosha are good hiking grounds with dirt footpaths leading back towards the city.

Nuclear icebreaker Lenin (AтомныйледоколЛенин), (At the docks, cross the railway on elevated bridge next to the central station, turn right then left after 150m). The world's first nucelar powerd surface ship now rests in the docks of Murmansk and have been turned into a museum ship. It also features as a showcase for the Russian nuclear fleet, Atomflot.

The city offers several museums, all mildly interesting for a visitor but gives a good appreciation for the regions history and art.

Arctic Research Institute Exposition, Ul. Knipovicha 6, ☎47 23 97. 9am to 4pm, Mon-Fri. Viewing apparently by appointment only; call and ask for Tatiana at least a few days in advance.

Regional History Museum, Prospekt Lenina 90, ☎42 26 17, [2]. 11am to 5:45pm, daily except Thursday. Contains displays on various themes, including ethnography of local peoples, a taxidermy display of local flora and fauna (including polar bear and moose), arctic explorations, and an extensive display on Murmansk's role in World War II. All displays in Russian only, cashier closes at 5:00pm.25 Rubles.

Do

Orthodox Monastery, Prospekt Kolskij (trolleybus nr 6 from city centre going south). all day. Wooden, notched (no nails used) working monastery. Beautifully handcrafted monastery with two churches. The main church is open for visitors, gift-shop included. The gift-shop has erratic opening-hours, but the monastery itself is open until very late, and if you show respect for the place and the people living there, they might open the church for you to see, even after closing-hours. Unclear when it "officially" closes. Beautiful hand-crafted wooden decorations inside the church, worth a look!

Buy

Eat

Cafe Leto, Prospekt Lenina 61 (Entrance off Ul. Yegorova), ☎45-96-06, [3]. A fasionable, clean cafe with a variety of international and Russian dishes and tempting desserts. Good service, menu in English.Entrees 300-500 rubles.

Cafe Yunost, Prospekt Lenina (Next to the Anatoliy Bredov Statue). Coffees and desserts in a relaxing environment.And jolly good chicken and chips.

Drink

моисей (24-hour cafe with wireless internet), Kominterna ulitsa 9/1 (Downstairs in shopping complex across from train station.), [4]. There doesn't seem to be a lot of wireless internet hotspots so моисей is a good option. Cheap draft beer and (uninviting) food, this is not a bad place to get one's bearings and check emails after arriving in the city.

Meridian Hotel, Ul. Vorovskogo 5/23 (On Five Corners Square), ☎+7 815 228 89 00. Not related to the international chain of a similar name. The lobby displays photos of notable former guests, including President Medvedev, which gives both an indicator of class of service and price.Beginning at 3500 rubles for a single.

Arktika Hotel, Prospekt Lenina 82 (On Five Corners Square). Closed for renovation, which is expected to finish in 2012.

Hotel Ogni Murmanska, Ogni Murmanska st. 1 (город Мурманск), RUS-183032 Murmansk, ☎+7 815 255 40 00. This hotel has 80 beds in 37 rooms. The standard is good and the hotel offers a very nice view. Good restaurant. The hotel accepts major credit cards, such as VISA, MasterCard and American Express.

Get out

The wilderness of the Kola peninsula and Murmansk Oblast is perfect for camping, fishing or hunting. A great deal of travellers continue out in the wild from here. There are several large national parks nearby and there are several companies to organize your trip.

Or you can head north; Murmansk is a great place to start for your icebreaker cruise [10] to the Arctic Sea and the North Pole.